Kerry councillor says greater powers for local authority on horizon

By Alastair Tibbs, The Kerryman

A report is set to be submitted to the government in the coming weeks recommending greater powers for local government and municipal districts.

Kerry councillor Jimmy Moloney, who is also part of the Association of Irish Local Government (AILG), told The Kerryman the government’s taskforce is moving quickly, with the recommendations expected to be finalised this month.

A Local Democracy Taskforce was established last year to put together recommendations for the reform and strengthening of local government in Ireland.

A local democracy index, sponsored by the European Commission, showed Ireland is one of the least locally autonomous countries in Europe, ranking only above Hungary and the Republic of Moldova.

“We have one of the most centralised systems of local government in Europe,” said Cllr Moloney.

“Only nine per cent of our national funding goes to local government, whereas in different places in Europe, central Europe and Scandinavia especially, it’d be up at 20 per cent.”

The AILG, which represents councillors across the country, has been part of the consultation process and has three delegates at taskforce meetings.

The local democracy taskforce is organised into four key pillars of Structure, Finance, Functions and Governance/Accountability, with Councillors’ powers being considered under each pillar.

Also under consideration is how to strengthen the framework and powers of Municipal Districts and Area Committees, as well as the interaction between government agencies and local authorities, relationships that have been a common source of frustration for elected members in Kerry.

“It’s down then to the implementation,” said Cllr Moloney, “we don’t need another report sitting on a desk for years and years.”